Map showing location of Waikite Valley Thermal Pools
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Facilities

6 outdoor public pools including:

Main splash pool with covered in toddlers beach area

Sit n soak pool

Tranquil garden pool

2 x hot tub pools (overlooking splash pool)

Covered in Garden Pool

4 private spas

Cafe

Camping ground

My Experience

Waikite Thermal Pools has always been a favourite of mine. Especially after a substantial facelift in 2001 it is a beautiful place to visit. I like to tent overnight, and have a BBQ breakfast and lunch the next day with several dips in the pools.

Bather Reviews

74

Love these pools, the camping ground and the meals served in the cafe.
Rating: 10/10
Maureen - NZ
02th October 2016

Translation: Here is a great hot spring landscape surrounded by greenery . Smell of sulfur will to faint . It is smooth and it was spring quality . 100% source that was cooled by the upstream is pouring into the pool , the temperature of the top of the pool is about 41 degrees . There is also a private room , but I recommend the landscape can enjoy the pool .
Rating: 8/10
Masashi - Japan
13th December 2014

72

Our little one's eczema disappeared after a couple hours of swimming in the pools.
Rating: 10/10
Tani - New Zealand
19th September 2014

71

A thoroughly awful experience yesterday after beeing hit on the back of the head by a soccer ball which a group of teenage girls were head butting to each other in the pool. To add to that, there were a number of adults lifting and throwing children into the water, children jumping in the pool and continuously having children's flotation devices (lilos)shuved up our noses - while trying to relax in the thermal water.
Rating: -/10
Sally Swart -
14th July 2014

70

Arrived in cold wet conditions. Motor home parking area wet and muddy. Primitive conditions. Staff friendly and co-operative. Telecom signal, which was essential, not available. No WiFi. (Could be an advantage for some). A disappointment all round.
Rating: 3/10
Don - New Zealand
09th July 2014

69

Great pools..Just wished these great pools were closer to Waikato!
Rating: 10/10
Hayden Freeman - NZ
31th May 2014

68

This was one of the highlights of our visit to Rotorua area. Our family of 4 ended up spending most of the day. So much calmer & quieter (& less expensive!) than many Rotorua area attractions. Lovely & peaceful to sit in a warm, peaceful infinity pool and watch the sheep on the hills in the distance. The easy 10 min. walk to view the boiling river was really neat. Took lots of photos, that, several months later, our kids are proudly showing to their highschool science teachers. Highly recommend it. The only problem we had was finding this attraction. Thought we had followed the directions but still got a bit lost en route! Worth the trouble, though. If we ever return to Rotorua, all members of our family agree that Waikite Valley Thermal Pools and the park in downtown Rotorua are the only places we'd really want to re-visit.
Rating: 10/10
Jane - Comox, BC, Canada
22th September 2013

67

absolutely fabulous. We also found these pools by accident.
Peaceful, friendly staff, great hot pools, highly recommend them to anyone.
Rating: -/10
kaz - nz
14th June 2013

66

Excellent! We found the pools by accident back on 2007 and I have been back many times, most recently about 2 weeks ago. I will gladly drive the extra distance, I have been to a few other hot pools and none comes close to Waikite Valley in terms of overall satisfaction. The campsites and associated facilities are also lovely!
Rating: 9/10
Wes - Hamilton
11th December 2012

65

love it took my family there 3 years ago on the way back from a days skiing and snow boarding, has a very relaxing atmosphere , going there tommorrow hope its now crowed because it will be when my whanu gets there!
Rating: 10/10
kory - whakatane
07th September 2012

64

This is our favourite place to relax. We go to Miranda and Waingaro hot springs as they're not too far from
Auckland and we enjoy them but we LOVE Waikite Valley. The pools are very clean and spacious and the facilities are very clean and tidy. The cafe is nice and cooking facilities and laundry for campers very good. Unfortunately though we sometimes go on the spur of the moment and can't get in cos its so popular.
Rating: -/10
Renee Panapa - Auckland, New Zealand
31th May 2012

Love it here....booked for our third visit this winter.
Rating: 10/10
Fiona - UK now Auckland,NZ
03th May 2012

61

Still the best..
Rating: 10/10
Kay Atchison - USA
03th April 2012

60

These are my favourite hot pools! Next time I want to stay at the campground so I can use the pools in the early morning
Rating: 9/10
ruth - wellington nz
24th March 2012

59

Every year I come home to New Zealand Waikite Pools are my first stop( after a hokey pokey ice cream) What better way to relax after a 17 hour flight?. Its peacful, clean, food is great. Just love it
Rating: 10/10
Kay Atchison - USA
21th January 2012

58

An amazing place on many levels. I have been 4 times and like early evening, but anytime is great. Ultimo relaxation !!!!
Rating: -/10
Crave Choo - Perth. WA
07th January 2012

57

I have visited many Thermal Pools in NZ but for me this is the best and I'm looking forward to stay there the next time I'm in your lovely country
Rating: 10/10
Silvia Davies - Switzerland
12th April 2011

56

We love it here. We've been to lots of hot pools but this is the cleanest with the best outlook and friendliest staff. Gr8 facilities too.
Rating: 9/10
Renee Panapa - NZ
06th April 2011

55

Excellent facilities
Excellent staff that were so helpful and friendly
Best hotpools I have ever been to
I am going to reccommend Waikite Hot pools to all my friends.
Rating: 10/10
Nicola Smith - Australia
05th April 2011

54

Great beautifulk place 10 out of 10
Rating: 10/10
Jake - nz
06th March 2011

53

Just returned to NZ and the first thing my 3 Grandsons and my son wanted me to do with them was head to Waikite Hot Pools.
the best hot Pools in the world as the boys and I call them.
Clean,clear,water with no smell,cool facilities,great ambiatience and friendly staff.
Thanks Mark and Lisa for reminding me what a great place we live in with great people.
like the new work you have done too,fantastic
Rating: 10/10
steve collins - NZ USA
12th February 2011

My family and I went here in 2008
I thoroughly recommend it.
Even though the weather wasn't so great the temperature of the pools was fantastic!
Rating: 10/10
Jillian - Australia
01th September 2010

50

I loved Waikite last Sept and I've just booked again for this Sept. These are the best pools in NZ, I spent my hols travelling around in a van, sitting in my PJ's watching the snow come down after a full day in the pools. Brill.Best nights sleep ever.
Rating: -/10
susiebriz - australia
15th July 2010

49

Nice Pools and pleasant surroundings.
For a free warm swim around here continue along Waikite Valley road west from the pool several hundred metres and turn right (north) onto Corbett road about 100m along here is a bridge under the bridge is a fair sized pool in the stream. When I was there after recent rain it was a nice temperature, it might get too hot if there had been no rain for a while.

[WARNING: The steam temp is often dangerously hot: 50 - 60 degrees, can also be fast flowing, and the bank is undermined in places therefore making it potentially dangerous for people (especially kids) standing on the bank and it giving way. You are advised to stay out of the stream.Sheldon Nesdale, NZHotPools.co.nz]
Rating: 8/10
Philip - Upper Hutt
01th July 2010

48

What more can one say, all the comments below says it all,
Loved the place and will be going back soon, Good on ya staff and management, its a joy to be there
Rating: 9/10
Pete - Hamilton
30th June 2010

47

I loved this place!! I went with my whanau, had never been before and loved every moment of it... So relaxing and calming.... I'm comin home next year so I will definately be there... Kiddies and All...
Rating: 10/10
Luana Thomas - Perth, Western Australia
16th February 2010

46

I think this is the best place I've been too (twice now) so far...and I've been looking. Great complex, clean, lots of pool options and places to lie around quietly. Love being outdoors and sitting in a hot pool so close to the source. The 'camping' area is a bit of an after thought, but not a show stopper.
Rating: 9/10
The Campbells - NZ
01th November 2009

45

Beautiful, relaxing and family friendly.
The walk to the spring is great.
Feels like a hidden valley, you just have to know where to turn off the main road.
Rating: 9/10
Stephen K - New Zealand
05th August 2009

44

Fantastic, the highlight of our weekend away, a long soak in the private pools was just superb, having full control of the pool temperature was the added bonus, highly recommended
Rating: 10/10
Wayne & Kelley - New Zealand
28th July 2009

43

The pools are wonderful, it is so nice to have all the different temperatures to choose from. We stayed in the campgrounds, with some friends and all had an awesome weekend. The facilities were clean and the staff were all very friendly and helpful. The food in the cafe was nice, served quickly after ordering and good and fresh. I think the other highlight is the walk to see the spring - very impressive. We will be back for sure :-)
Rating: 10/10
David & Penny - New Zealand
17th July 2009

Well what can one say. Great Place for a swim even on a cold winter day with the family. Most relaxing. Well worth a trip to enjoy
Rating: -/10
Bill Webber - Hamilton /NZ
06th July 2009

39

A wonderful complex hidden away from the main state highway. We love to go for weekends in our motorhome and stay in the small camp ground at the pools. Camp fees include free all day use of the pools. Its well worth the short walk to the top of the stream to see the hot water springs. Highly recommended.
Rating: 10/10
Judith Bishop - Thames New Zealand
01th July 2009

Superb, been 3 times now in 4 months, better than any we tried in Rotorua. Clean, kids love it and set in stunning scenery. We live an hour & 20 mins away and well worth the trip for us
Rating: 10/10
Pete - Cambridge / New Zealand
08th April 2009

36

the best, they deserve a higher rating than 10. staff very helpful. Have been here here many times & will always suggest it to others . thankyou
Rating: 10/10
maurice - auckland
26th March 2009

35

The best of all hot pools-cum-camps by far. Very friendly staff, good little camping ground, great food in the cafe, very clean, water replaced daily. Highly recommended.
Rating: 10/10
Margaret - New Zealand
14th March 2009

34

We live here in Rotorua and I would have to say this is the best venue to go to out of all the others, Polanesian Spy, Waiora Spa, etc. Its a bit of a drive, 20 mins or so, but its great value for money, not crowded like poly spa, its in a rural setting, very tranquil. Worth checking out!
Rating: 10/10
Local - Rotorua
29th December 2008

33

Pools were good but my wallet was stolen,and credit card as well no cameras are in place and they could do nothing for me.Will never go back.
Rating: 4/10
yin sing - china
26th November 2008

great place also for camping... take the walk to the spring as well as it gives great insides and only takes minutes... we love it!!!!
Rating: 10/10
Michael Pfaue - Germany
29th September 2008

30

We just loved it!!!! Fantastic, beautiful scenery, delcious food, lovey clean pools and great team. A special thanks to Emma and Natalie who went out of their way to help us in everyway possible. Thanks guys we will definately be back.
Rating: 10/10
Sam and Karen - Uk
05th September 2008

29

Was back in nZ for 1 week from the USA and headed straight to Waikite with my grandsons and as always,Mark and Lisa have done more work at the springs,the best hot springs in the world!
I have travelled the world for 30 years and where ever i go i visit hot pools and these are the best.
Great people.
Clean,clear high flow of water.
beautiful enviroment
relaxed and layed back with a great food to enjoy.
Thanks Mark ,Lisa and your cool team for making NZ a place to look forward to come back too!
thank you
steve
Rating: 10/10
Steve Collins - NZ
03th September 2008

28

it is a very cool place to go to and relax i loved it
Rating: -/10
kasey - new zealand
05th March 2008

27

it was cool pool to go to thanks for it and to relax in
Rating: -/10
susana - new zealand
05th March 2008

26

Totally awesome pools. Lovely location with a fantastic chilled-out atmosphere. The cafe serves good coffee and food to die for. Had the best salad sandwich ever which was a work of art! Very family friendly and also good value if you camp there too. Cannot wait to go again.
Rating: 10/10
Farrar Family - UK now NZ :0)
20th January 2008

25

coming over Feb 08, and cant wait to hit
those spring,s you have sold me.
Cheers from Canada.
merry xmas to you.
Rating: -/10
ED Reeves - Nanaimo ,British Columbia,Canada
14th December 2007

24

Fantastic spot to soak up the warm water, enjoy the company and eat delicious food! Is a must!
Rating: 10/10
Carrie Fergusson - Auckland, NZ
15th October 2007

23

Loved Waikete Valley Thermal Pools. Went for a wee look while zooming past on a campervan holiday and ended up booking into the campground for the night. Magical setting and just the perfect depth for the kids. Enjoyed our meal at the cafe too.
Rating: 10/10
Rachel Happy - Auckland
01th October 2007

22

I have gone to Waikite since I was a baby. I have always loved it and had heaps of great family holidays there - now I can give my son and husband the same neat experience. Its wonderful to see the awsome upgrades that have been made to the complex while keeping its relaxed, "off the beaten track" feel. Please Bring back the BBQ'S!
Rating: 9/10
Jade, Mart and Josh - Hamilton, NZ
03th September 2007

21

The best pool I've been to so far, this place is magical with all the thermal activity going on around you, steam rising from behind the bushes etc. Facilties were spotless, excellent showers and the staff were really friendly. Visited 8/08/07
Rating: 10/10
Di -
12th August 2007

20

A really nice place. Both "relaxing" pools were lovely and it was great to lay there and watch the sun setting while the stars came out. I hope to make it back with the family one day and would definitely stay longer.
Rating: 7/10
Tony Morris - Truro, UK
26th July 2007

19

Loved the variety of pools and the informative ecowalk was great. The only slight downside was the rather slippery tiles in the family pool
Rating: 10/10
Molly Ryan - South Africa
25th June 2007

18

Excellent! great place for the family or just mum and dad for some quality time together. Worth the trip from Tokoroa {45min away} far nicer than those in Rotorua city area or Taupo. Have taken many a visitor from overseas {wife's family and friends from the UK} and all have been very impressed. We have all the central north island pools within an easy hours drive from home, yet constantly return to Waikite Valley pools. Great food etc at cafe as well.
Rating: 10/10
Darryn - Tokoroa/NZ
13th May 2007

17

The Waikite Valley Thermal Pools are lovely. The open air thermal pools are supplied with hot water by the adjacent and thoroughly impressive Te Manaroa spring, which discharges 40-50 litres of boiling water every second.
Rating: 10/10
Eilidh - Edinburgh UK
08th February 2007

16

Loved Waikite hot pools! The natural surrounds complimented a clean and friendly atmosphere. The pools were so hot and fresh and we enjoyed reading about the springs nearby - the experience started in the carpark learning about how they cool the water from 98 degrees C to 38 degrees C. We will definitely visit next time.
Rating: 10/10
Tania Smith - Australia
01th February 2007

15

Visited on 14th November 2006 - A wonderfull experience, small friendly camp site, friendly non-commercial atmosphere and the pools a real bonus. I would recommend it to anyone.
Rating: 10/10
D B Simmonds - England
12th January 2007

14

friendly service even for unbooked campers.was there a week ago. restaurant food excellent and well priced. kids enjoyed the real thermal pools compared to other chlorinated artificially heated swimming pools of other resorts. the springs are a spectacular sight if the breeze blows away the steam. lockers handy next to pool.affordable camping fees.walkway beautiful ferns and mosses. pools HOT!
best real commercial thermal pools in NZ.
we loved it
Rating: 10/10
werner - australia
09th October 2006

13

A wonderful late afternoon outing for a family outing for all ages.The facilities were excellent and to finish the day the food was very appetising and reasonably priced. We wwill be recommending to all our overseas visitors.
Glenis King -Auckland
28th September 2006
Rating: 9/10
glenis king - auckland N.Z.
01th October 2006

12

A wonderful late afternoon outing for a family outing for all ages.The facilities were excellent and to finish the day the food was very appetising and reasonably priced. We wwill be recommending to all our overseas visitors.
Glenis King -Auckland
28th September 2006
Rating: 9/10
glenis king - auckland N.Z.
01th October 2006

11

Love Waikite Pools. Been coming here since the days when there was only the one pool, before the new cafe was built. The changes are amazing. Well done. Highly recommended
Rating: 10/10
Linda Stenson - Hastings New Zealand
29th September 2006

10

Love Waikite Pools. Been coming here since the days when there was only the one pool, before the new cafe was built. The changes are amazing. Well done. Highly recommended
Rating: 10/10
Linda Stenson - Hastings New Zealand
29th September 2006

9

Very nice - it'll be even nicer when they've finished the building work
Rating: 9/10
-
16th August 2006

8

As a local who hasn't been for about 12mths, we have just enjoyed a couple of hours at the pools. The staff are very friendly, new changing rooms are great, food is also lovely. Looking forward to the new pool opening that will overlook the river and bush scenery. It is only a 20min drive from Rotorua and if you're lucky you will get to see a donkey and a family of kuni kuni pigs in a paddock by the one way bridge. Absolutely fabulous and we will go back.
Rating: 9/10
Sonia and Tim - New Zealand
29th July 2006

Waikite hotpools are Rotoruas best kept secret. As a local patron I have visited every hotpool in the region and Waikite is my favourite. Clean, no smell, high volume of water flow flushing thru the pools 247 which keeps the pool water very clean. Nice rural kiwi setting with a very good cafe with excellent unique kiwi food. Excellent friendly, helpful staff. Thank you Emma and the team.
It is so good I will drive 25 minutes to Waikite when ever we go hotpooling instead of the overcrowded, highly commercialised city facilities.
Rating: 10/10
Steve Collins - Rotorua
13th March 2006

5

A wonderful and enjoyable experience! Had the best time!!!!!
Rating: 10/10
Cleo - England
29th January 2006

4

The best place I have ever been to.
Rating: 10/10
Debbie Peach - Pukekohe. New Zealand.
26th January 2006

3

It's not just about the water, which is soft and lovely, it's the whole package, the environment, location and people - Waikite is the best!
Rating: 10/10
Carla Pike - New Zealand
23th December 2005